Decontamination and Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators: Where Do We Stand?

ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created an extraordinary demand for N95 and similarly rated filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) that remains unmet due to limited stock, production constraints, and logistics. Interest in decontamination and reuse of FFR, a product class designed for single use in health care settings, has undergone a parallel surge due to shortages. A worthwhile decontamination method must provide effective inactivation of the targeted pathogen(s), and preserve particle filtration, mask fit, and safety for a subsequent user. This discussion reviews the background of the current shortage, classification, structure, and functional aspects of FFR, and potentially effective decontamination methods along with reference websites for those seeking updated inform

SUBMITTER: Cassorla L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7571614 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature